Federal bridge money ‘a good opener’

THE $10 million toward a new Nowra Bridge is a good opener for the state to sure-up more federal funds, according to a senior Shoalhaven City Council staff member.

THE $10 million toward a new Nowra Bridge is a good opener for the state to sure-up more federal funds, according to a senior Shoalhaven City Council staff member.

Treasurer Joe Hockey announced in last Budget $10 million for planning another bridge over the Shoalhaven River at Nowra.

Council’s economic development officer Greg Pullen said the $10 million would allow the state government to follow through and negotiate with the Commonwealth to put substantial funds into that construction.

Mr Pullen said with the next biggest piece of infrastructure being the Shoalhaven River crossing, it was vital the federal government understood how important it was to the region.

“Council can’t apply for Commonwealth money but we would encourage the community to become aware this is a critical piece of infrastructure and budgets are tight.

“We all need to help get this money,” he said.

“However, it is a logical step if the Commonwealth is putting money into that for planning it would be there when work starts.”

Mr Pullen said he would like to see council offered details of the long-term roads funding submission.

He said the state government lodges a submission to the federal government for funds, however local government was not privy to those details.

He said council had asked for the information in the past but he could not remember if it had been shared in at least a decade.